Dufferin County public meetings in 2023
19 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Access Dufferin
The Committee reviewed accessible parking space design proposals for 54 Lawrence Ave, the Museum of Dufferin, the Edelbrock Centre, and Dufferin Oaks. Staff will consult engineers to address AODA compliance and maneuvering concerns at three of the locations. No formal votes were recorded.
- Reviewed parking design for 54 Lawrence Ave; Facilities Manager to consult engineers on sidewalk and swale alternatives
- Reviewed Museum of Dufferin parking; redesign required to meet AODA standards for space number, width, and aisles
- Reviewed Edelbrock Centre parking; Facilities Manager to review suggested changes for spot placement and EV charging with engineers
- Reviewed Dufferin Oaks parking; Committee noted no concerns with repaving and signage replacement
Infrastructure and Environmental Services
The Committee adopted the Dufferin County Road Network Rationalization Plan, though it excluded the uploading of Riddell Road. Additionally, the Committee approved a speed limit reduction to 70 km/hr for a portion of Dufferin Road 11.
- Adopted Dufferin County Road Network Rationalization Plan, excluding Riddell Road (Carried)
- Directed staff to revise posted speed limit of southern portion of Dufferin Road 11 to 70 km/hr (Carried)
- Revised Schedule H of Consolidated Traffic By-Law 2005-32 for Dufferin Road 11 (Carried)
- Received report on Dufferin County Forest Oak Wilt Response (Carried)
- Received report on Household Hazardous Waste Services Update and Event Request (Carried)
Community Development and Tourism
The Committee received reports on museum statistics and the International Plowing Match. It approved the trial of a new tourism destination brand and directed staff to coordinate shared planning services with local municipalities.
- Received Museum Visitor and Outreach Statistics Report Q2 (Carried)
- Received 2023 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo update (Carried)
- Approved trial of proposed new tourism brand at the International Plowing Match (Carried)
- Directed staff to work with local municipal staff to determine time required for planning services and update Memorandums of Understanding (Carried)
- Approved staff to proceed with actions discussed during Closed Session (Carried)
Health and Human Services
The Committee approved a 2.5% increase for 2024 market rents at County-owned housing locations. They also extended the paramedic services agreement with Headwaters Health Care Centre and supported a resolution for increased federal housing funding.
- Approved 2.5% increase for 2024 Market Rents of County-owned housing units
- Extended Paramedic Services Agreement with Headwaters Health Care Centre through December 31, 2025
- Approved Single Source procurement for Dufferin Oaks Nurse Call System upgrade
- Approved funding for Dufferin Oaks parking lot paving via Capital Reserve Fund
- Supported resolution requesting increased federal operating funding for housing and homelessness
- Directed staff to seek sustainable funding solutions for Dufferin Men’s Shelter
- Received Community Services Activity Report for Second Quarter 2023
- Received Social Services Relief Funding update report
General Government Services
The Committee approved a $200,000 expenditure for staff anti-racism training and modified tax policies regarding multi-residential ratios and land discounts. It also set a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union employees for 2024.
- Approved $200,000 for anti-racism training with Stephanie Nixon and Associates Inc. (Carried)
- Reduced multi-residential class ratio to 1.7 in 2024, 1.4 in 2025, and 1.1 in 2026 (Carried)
- Eliminated Vacant Land and Excess Land Discounts as of 2024 (Carried)
- Set 2024 non-union cost-of-living adjustment at 4% effective April 1, 2024 (Carried)
- Approved recommended appointments to the Diversity Equity Inclusion Community Advisory Committee (Carried)
- Adopted Access Dufferin meeting minutes from June 21, July 19, and August 16, 2023 (Carried)
- Received Headwaters Community in Action mid-year report (Carried)
- Received 2024 budget schedule and digital modernization project update (Carried)
Access Dufferin
The Committee reviewed the Dufferin County Forest and Rail Trail and discussed methods to improve accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible marking and the use of Magnus Cards. The Committee also reviewed a new tourism branding logo and requested a simplified design.
- Discussed marking the Hockley Tract as wheelchair accessible
- Discussed using AccessNow app for accessibility ratings
- Discussed using Magnus Cards to welcome people with autism
- Requested simplification of the new tourism branding logo
Council - Special Meeting
Council met for a special meeting to enact two by-laws. The primary action was the appointment of a Building Inspector. The meeting lasted approximately three minutes.
- Approved By-Law 2023-45 to appoint Domenic Malatesta as a Building Inspector
- Approved By-Law 2023-46 to confirm the proceedings of the July 27, 2023 meeting
Access Dufferin
The Committee received reports on the resurfacing plan for the Dufferin Rail Trail and the status of County parking lot rehabilitation. Members discussed safety concerns regarding e-scooters in public areas. No formal votes or motions were recorded.
- Received report on Dufferin Rail Trail resurfacing from Orangeville to south of Dundalk
- Received update on parking lot rehabilitation tender closing July 13, 2023
- Discussed risks of e-scooters for visually impaired people and seniors
Council - Statutory Meeting
Council held a statutory public meeting to review the Phase II Official Plan Amendment (OPA). The proposed amendment updates prime agricultural mapping, natural heritage systems, and settlement area expansions for Grand Valley and Shelburne. No final vote on the adoption of the OPA is recorded in the provided text.
- Approved the meeting agenda
Council Meeting
Council adopted Official Plan Amendment No. 03 to align with the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan. Members approved $1,994,000 in capital workplan adjustments for transportation, long-term care, and housing services. Several funding transfers were approved for emergency power planning and housing assessments.
- Approved Official Plan Amendment No. 03 to update policies and land use schedules
- Approved $1,994,000 in capital workplan adjustments for various infrastructure and facility projects
- Approved $10,000-$15,000 from Municipal Emergency Management Readiness Reserve for an Emergency Power Generation Upgrade Action Plan
- Approved up to $15,000 from Rate Stabilization Reserve for Community Safety & Well Being Plan engagement
- Approved $25,000 from Rate Stabilization Reserve for a Housing Needs Assessment Study
- Authorized the creation of a 2-year Planner contract position
- Engaged Intact Public Entities for 2024 fiscal year insurance services
- Appointed Darryn Stevenson and Tani Mogensen to the Dufferin Outdoor Recreation Advisory Team
General Government Services
The Committee approved the development of an Emergency Power Generation Upgrade Action Plan and the extension of the current insurance contract. A status report on IT and GIS was also received.
- Approved $10,000-$15,000 from Municipal Emergency Management Readiness Reserve for an Emergency Power Generation Upgrade Action Plan (Carried)
- Approved engagement of Intact Public Entities for insurance services for the 2024 fiscal year (Carried)
- Received IT & GIS Status Report (Carried)
Community Development and Tourism
The Committee approved the creation of a 2-year contract planner position, with 2023 costs offset by reduced consulting expenses. They also received reports on increasing Museum of Dufferin online records and the Phase III Official Plan Amendment draft.
- Authorized creation of a 2-year Planner contract position (Carried)
- Received report on 'More Museum Records Online' (Carried)
- Received report on 'Phase III Official Plan Amendment (OPA) – Policy Framework, Redline Copy' (Carried)
Health and Human Services
The Committee approved up to $15,000 from the Rate Stabilization Reserve for the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. It also authorized signing the 2023/24 Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement. A request for $750,000 for SMART Headwaters was presented by the Headwaters Health Care Foundation.
- Approved up to $15,000 from Rate Stabilization Reserve for Community Safety & Well-Being Plan engagement and administration (Carried)
- Approved signing the Multi Sector Service Accountability Agreement with the Central West Region for April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 (Carried)
- Received report on 'Merrily...Taking Early Years Conversations Upstream and Down' podcast series (Carried)
- Received 2022 Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Annual Report and directed staff to forward it to lower tier municipalities (Carried)
Access Dufferin
The Committee reviewed draft Terms of Reference without recommending changes and selected a Chair. Members discussed potential federal funding for the Enabling Accessibility Fund and identified accessibility concerns regarding parking at the Edelbrock Centre.
- Selected Sean Johnson as Chair
- Reviewed draft Terms of Reference (no changes recommended)
Council Meeting
Council approved the 2023-2026 Corporate Strategic Plan and the 2022 Financial Statements. Several infrastructure updates were authorized, including new nuisance beaver rates and a transit terminal agreement with the Town of Orangeville.
- Approved Corporate Strategic Plan for 2023-2026
- Approved 2022 Financial Statements
- Adjusted Nuisance Beaver rates to $100 per setup and $100 per beaver removed plus mileage
- Authorized temporary four-way stop at Dufferin Road 12 and 20 Sideroad Amaranth
- Directed staff to negotiate fibre installation agreements with Wightman Telecom on Rail Trail lands
- Authorized signing of Town of Orangeville Transit Terminal Memorandum of Understanding
- Supported Township of Amaranth resolution regarding school bus stop arm cameras
- Appointed Sean Johnson to the Access Dufferin Accessibility Advisory Committee
General Government Services
The Committee approved the scheduling of a council workshop to assess current and future use of County facilities and property inventory. They also supported a resolution from the Township of Amaranth regarding school bus stop arm cameras and received a financial report.
- Approved scheduling a council workshop to review County facilities and property inventory (Carried)
- Supported Township of Amaranth resolution regarding school bus stop arm cameras (Carried)
- Received financial report for January 1 – April 30, 2023 (Carried)
- Received Facilities Requirements and Options Review update report (Carried)
Community Development and Tourism
The Committee received financial, enforcement, and visitor reports. Staff were directed to submit a delegation request to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding new construction electrical standards.
- Received financial report for Building Services, Museum of Dufferin, Land Use Planning, and Economic Development (Carried)
- Received Building Code Enforcement Manual report (Carried)
- Received Museum Visitor and Outreach Statistics Report for Q1 2023 (Carried)
- Received Phase III OPA – Policy Framework, Engagement Plan report (Carried)
- Directed staff to request a delegation to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to advocate for 220 amp panels as the standard for new construction
Health and Human Services
The Committee received financial, paramedic, and community services reports. The Warden was authorized to sign a Declaration of Compliance for Dufferin County Community Support Services for submission to Ontario Health Central Region.
- Received financial report for period January 1 – April 30, 2023 (Carried)
- Received Dufferin County Paramedic Service Annual Report (Carried)
- Received First Quarter 2023 Community Services Activity Report (Carried)
- Received Dufferin County Equity Collaborative 2022 Report to the Community (Carried)
- Authorized Warden to sign Declaration of Compliance for Community Support Services (Carried)
- Received Long Term Care funding update report (Carried)
Infrastructure and Environmental Services
The Committee authorized a memorandum of understanding for the Town of Orangeville Transit Terminal and adjusted rates for the nuisance beaver program. It also directed staff to negotiate fibre installation agreements with Wightman Telecom and investigate a mobile depot for hazardous waste.
- Adjusted Nuisance Beaver rates to $100 per setup, $100 per beaver removed, plus mileage allowance
- Authorized Warden and Clerk to sign Town of Orangeville Transit Terminal Memorandum of Understanding
- Directed staff to negotiate terms and easements with Wightman Telecom for fibre installation on County Rail Trail lands
- Approved installation of temporary four-way stop at Dufferin Road 12 and 20 Sideroad Amaranth
- Directed staff to investigate logistics and costs for a Dufferin County Mobile Depot for hazardous waste
- Directed staff to submit a delegation request to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs regarding Bill 97
- Received financial report for Public Works, Climate and Energy, Facilities, Waste Services, and County Forest (Jan 1 – April 30, 2023)
- Received reports on County Forest By-Law Enforcement and Dufferin Road 10 & Mono/Amaranth Townline intersection review